‘Gratitude and respect’: Hanover unveils Veterans’ Memorial Statue
Hanover unveils Veterans’ Memorial Statue
Pictured are the people who were instrumental in the design and completion of the memorial statue to honor military veterans in the town of Hanover.
Town Clerk Elizabeth VanCheri, center, is shown cutting the ribbon to unveil the Hanover Veterans’ Memorial Statue on Wednesday afternoon. Pictured left of VanCheri is Wayne Ashley, whose idea started the process. Pictured right of VanCheri are Supervisor Lou Pelletter and Council members Ed Schintzius and Aimee Rogers.
OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Pictured is the Hanover Veterans’ Memorial Statue unveiled on Wednesday afternoon. The statue features a soaring eagle, meant to represent freedom, carrying a fish in its talons, signifying Lake Erie and its significance to the region.
Many local veterans were in attendance at the dedication of a memorial statue on Wednesday afternoon in Hanover.
Pictured are the people who were instrumental in the design and completion of the memorial statue to honor military veterans in the town of Hanover.
Town Clerk Elizabeth VanCheri, center, is shown cutting the ribbon to unveil the Hanover Veterans’ Memorial Statue on Wednesday afternoon. Pictured left of VanCheri is Wayne Ashley, whose idea started the process. Pictured right of VanCheri are Supervisor Lou Pelletter and Council members Ed Schintzius and Aimee Rogers.
OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Pictured is the Hanover Veterans’ Memorial Statue unveiled on Wednesday afternoon. The statue features a soaring eagle, meant to represent freedom, carrying a fish in its talons, signifying Lake Erie and its significance to the region.
Many local veterans were in attendance at the dedication of a memorial statue on Wednesday afternoon in Hanover.
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HANOVER -- Dating back several years, the town of Hanover has been planning and designing a memorial to honor veterans for all they did to keep our nation free and safe. On Veterans Day, the town's hard work was on full display as the memorial was finally unveiled.
A large crowd gathered outside of the Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon for a ceremony to honor veterans and cut the ribbon on the new memorial. Several speakers took their turn at the microphone stand before the ribbon was cut.
The idea for a veterans' memorial first began with former Town Councilman Wayne Ashley. After he left the board, it was Town Clerk Elizabeth VanCheri who took the idea and ran with it. VanCheri welcomed guests with a prepared speech, stating to the many veterans in the crowd, "This memorial was built for you."
VanCheri thanked all of the veterans in attendance for their courage in serving their country. She said she hopes the memorial can be a place where veterans can visit and "feel gratitude and respect" for their service. For families of fallen service members, VanCheri said she hopes the memorial will be a place of "comfort and remembrance." VanCheri hopes that younger generations will learn the meaning of service, sacrifice, courage, and freedom from visiting the memorial.
"Honoring our veterans should never be limited to just one day a year. Our hope is that this memorial will stand here for many years to come as a reminder that gratitude, remembrance and respect should be a part of our everyday lives," VanCheri said.
The memorial statue features a soaring eagle, meant to represent freedom, carrying a fish in its talons, signifying Lake Erie and its significance to the region. There is also a plaque for prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. Flags of each branch of the military stand behind the monument, with engraved statues at the base of each flagpole signifying the branch. A United States flag stands in the center of the memorial, and a retaining wall was built at the base of the structure.
Below the veterans' memorial statue is a plaque that highlights all of the supporters who helped make the statue come to fruition. As part of the ceremony, a time capsule was placed inside the base of the statue. Cardboard was placed between the statue and the base temporarily to protect the structure as the time capsule was stored. The statue will be finished in the coming weeks. The time capsule will be opened on July 4, 2076 to celebrate the nation's 300th birthday.
Aimee Rogers, a member of the Town Board and President of Imagine Forestville, was instrumental in the time capsule. She was one of several speakers who followed VanCheri's opening remarks. Town Supervisor Lou Pelletter and County Legislator Tom Harmon also spoke, along with Town Historian Vince Martonis and Town Councilman Ed Schintzius. Representatives on behalf of State Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor presented VanCheri with proclamations to commemorate the occasion.
"Service does not end when the uniform is removed. For many, the experience of war remains long after the battlefield is left behind. The memories, the hardships, and the loss of comrades are not always easily spoken or understood," Pelletter said. He also highlighted the weight of service that is carried by family members who remain at home while their loved one fights to protect the country they call home.
Brian Schneider, Commander of the J. Carter Knapp American Legion Post in Forestville, addressed the crowd while dressed in his full U.S. Marines uniform. Schneider spoke about the history of Veterans Day and how service extends far beyond the time that military members are in active duty. He said that it is important to continue to serve others in the community, even if it is something as simple as treating others with dignity and respect or lending others a listening ear when they need someone to speak to.
Schintzius highlighted officials of the town who served, including himself. Schintzius, who happened to be celebrating his own birthday on Veterans Day, served in the U.S. Marines in the 1960s. He later served his community as a police officer, and eventually, a detective. He now serves the town as a Councilman in retirement, exemplifying exactly what Schneider spoke of.
Following VanCheri's closing remarks, she cut the ribbon to officially unveil the memorial statue to the community. Wayne Ashley stood immediately to her right and Lou Pelletter to her left as she cut the ribbon. She immediately turned to her left with a big smile, as Schintzius and Rogers cheered beside Pelletter.
The ceremony concluded with photos by the statue, followed by a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
Pelletter said he was "deeply honored" to dedicate the memorial to the community as Town Supervisor. He said, "May this place forever remain a place of honor, reflection, gratitude and remembrance. May this memorial remind us that patriotism is more than a word, freedom is never guaranteed, and that the debt we owe those who served can never truly be repaid."